The UK is beginning to show signs of recovery and business confidence improving, however the path to growth is far from certain, and UK plc still has work to do to convince international investors that the UK is open for business. In the OECD's economic survey of the United Kingdom in 2013 it highlighted increased investment in productive infrastructure as an area which could boost long-term growth and would justify further prioritisation in spending. Similarly, the British Chamber of Commerce said, in commenting on their Q14 2013 economic survey, that "Long-term growth strategies must be delivered with a strong national consensus, particularly around the infrastructure investments that the country sorely needs. Only then will we have an environment that fosters enterprise and an economy which meets its true potential."  At the same time the Office of National Statistics confirmed that Britain was Europe's strongest growing major economy in 2013 while the IMF predicted the UK as second only to the USA (among advanced economies) for growth in 2014.

 

Business leaders continue to push Government to ensure the right landscape is in place to encourage investment into areas that will secure the country’s path to growth. Investment in world class infrastructure projects is key to the future success of the UK economy. Mega-projects like HS2, Crossrail, Hinkley Point C and Thames Tideway have helped put the UK on all infrastructure investors’ radars, but what else is in the pipeline beyond these big name projects? How can government and the private sector work together to deliver at the scale and pace necessary to ensure the UK remains competitive on a world stage and builds on the improving economic climate?

 

This panel discussion, hosted by KPMG and A&O, will initially cover the global infrastructure investor landscape, before moving to a UK focused discussion on what is working and where things need to improve, plus a view on whether the pipeline sufficient and what are the right types of deals are to attract international investment activity in infrastructure.